A new bad-faith, pro-Trump argument

And Nikki Haley loses to 'none of these candidates' in Nevada

VIEW IN BROWSER MSNBC DAILY Understand today's news VIEW IN BROWSER MSNBC DAILY Understand today's news Wednesday, Feb. 07, 2024 THE LATEST Trump defenders' latest argument has a scary double intent By Steve Vladeck and Lee Kovarsky There's a new argument making the rounds among former President Donald Trump's defenders, and it doubles as a threat of political retribution. The upshot of this argument is that, if he's not immunized from criminal prosecution in Washington (for his role in the Jan. 6 insurrection) and Georgia (for his attempt to interfere in the state's election results), then sham prosecutions await every president. And if courts allow Colorado to disqualify Trump from the presidential ballot, then disqualification will become the norm even for candidates whose behavior comes nowhere close to having participated in an insurrection or a rebellion covered by the 14th Amendment's text. "If it can happen to Trump," the argument goes, "it can happen to anyone."   Even before Trump's immunity claim was rejected by the Washington, D.C., circuit court on Tuesday, Republicans were already activating the cycle of political payback. Trump himself has threatened, if elected, to order that President Joe Biden be indicted. There is chatter about charging Barack Obama with murder because of a wartime military operation in Yemen. And Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has made not totally credible noises about removing Biden from Florida ballots. The race to the bottom is already underway — and, per the story coming from Trump's defenders, courts that rule against him will only accelerate it.   This is a preview of Steve Vladeck and Lee Kovarsky's latest article. Read the full column here.  TOP STORIES HAYES BROWN Team Trump's immunity ruling response is a very thinly veiled threat Trump insists crimes are politics and politics are criminal. Read more. JA'HAN JONES Vince McMahon allegations spark some revealing responses from former WWE employees This is not the first scandal that McMahon has faced. Read more. JORDAN RUBIN Judge has questions about possible Weisselberg perjury deal The writing comes as we await Engoron's post-trial ruling on the fate of Donald Trump's business empire. Read more. PAUL WALDMAN Why Republicans just killed the bipartisan immigration bill they said they wanted Accepting that most Republicans don't want to fix the current system clears the way for a new era in America's immigration debate. Read more.         TOP VIDEOS THE BEAT WITH ARI House GOP's effort to impeach DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas fails WAY TOO EARLY Nikki Haley loses to 'none of these candidates' in Nevada ALL IN Maddow: Trump claim 'outrighted mocked' by court in immunity rejection DEADLINE WHITE HOUSE 'Historic, landmark decision': Judge Michael Luttig reacts to Trump immunity ruling MORE FROM MSNBC Tomorrow at 10 a.m. ET, Ana Cabrera, Andrea Mitchell, and José Díaz-Balart host special coverage of the Supreme Court's oral arguments over former President Trump's Colorado ballot case, bringing you the Court's live audio in full. Then later at 8 p.m. ET, Rachel Maddow and team will break down what the arguments mean for the 2024 election.  The latest episode of "How to Win 2024" is now available. With the Nevada primaries ahead, Claire McCaskill and Jennifer Palmieri dig into the week's biggest stories from the campaign trail, including the House impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Plus, they shine a spotlight on President Biden's intensified campaign efforts. Listen here.   MSNBC INSIGHTS Have you ever wanted to provide MSNBC with your opinion about their TV programs, documentaries, and digital products, such as MSNBC.com, newsletters, and podcasts? Now is your chance! Join the MSNBC Insights Community.   30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 PRIVACY | CONTACT | UNSUBSCRIBE PRIVACY | CONTACT | UNSUBSCRIBE